Don Kaplan: TV news failed in Ferguson

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David Carson/ZUMA24.com


And TV executives wonder why everyone is cutting the cable cord.


As Ferguson erupted into anger, bullets and flames Monday night, people across the world turned to television for those 'as-it-happens' images and on-the-scene correspondents.


The images were gripping. The correspondents far less so.


The 24-hour news cycle has created an entire generation of 'journalists' who have no experience in the field, earning their seven-figure salaries as talking heads in a studio. But when the crunch was on, viewers, especially CNN viewers, were treated to a lot of blather.


On Fox, Megyn Kelly argued with guests who did not agree with her - that's her thing - even as gunfire, looting and Ferguson businesses burned on the screen behind her.


Anderson Cooper/ CNN reporters putting this is perspective 'almost everyone is peaceful'.. Don lemon 'obviously I smell Marijuana ' wtf


- Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) November 25, 2014

On CNN, Don Lemon - the same Don Lemon who blamed an alleged victim of Bill Cosby's sex abuse for not stopping the apparent attack - informed viewers that some protesters were smoking pot.


The controversial anchor also ham-handedly drew tear gas into his own gas mask. He also offended many by imitating the 'St. Louis accent' so that the name of the local interstate sounded like a common term for flatulence.


CNN'd Don Lemon said 'obviously the smell of marijuana in the crowd'. This from the guy who blamed Cosby rape victim for her assault. #idiot


- Peter Grosz (@petergrosz) November 25, 2014

It should horrify us all that the most even-handed coverage of this American tragedy came from overseas outlets such as the BBC and Al Jazeera America.


From our national networks, all we got was callow filler.


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